Model of an Installation for Tarring Rope Yarn c. 1849

This is a model of an installation for tarring rope yarn, made from wood and metal. It immediately strikes the eye with its geometric clarity. The structure consists of vertical wooden planks that support a clean, rectangular frame. The composition is notably symmetrical, drawing our attention to the balance between the elements. The use of simple shapes and the emphasis on the construction of the model itself draw attention to functionality. This functional aesthetic can be interpreted as an early exploration of form following function. The lines and shapes reduce the object to its most essential form. This focus aligns with the modernist pursuit of stripping away ornamentation to reveal the underlying structure. The reduction of this device into a geometric skeleton can be seen as a commentary on industrialization, where functionality and structure take precedence over aesthetic embellishment.